[mulherin31]

Hi guys,

I recently had insulation blown into the attic and come to find out I dont have enough baffles to match with the soffit vents, which means I need to go up and install more baffles. I don't want to ruin the insulation that I had blown by tramping around on it. What are my best options, any solutions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Grumpy]

1 Sweep the insulation out of the way temporarily and reinstall it.

2 From the bottom side remvoe the soffit vent and take a broom stick to push the insulation frmo blocking your over hang.


3Call the jack hole know nothing wanna be contractor you hired to do the half assed job and make him fix it.


I choose option 3.

 

[mulherin31]

Thanks for the reply grumpy! Unfortunately option 3 may not be an option. What would you do otherwise? Can I push insulation back with broom from outside and place and install a baffle? Any things to be careful of, or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Grumpy]

You won't likely be able to install the baffle from theoutside, but maybe if the overhang is enough. Just keep in mind you'll likely have to redo much of the trim work on the overhang. I knew one guy who would use PVC pipe instead of baffles in a situation like this where it wasn't feasable to install the baffles after the insulation. I can see the logic that the air would flow in through the pipe and into the attic. I've never tried it but I can follow the logic.

Are the baffles necessary? I mean is the insulation blocking the air flow into the attic, or are you afraid it'll settle over time and eventually block the air flow? If it's not currently blocking the fresh air intake, perhaps let the sleeping dog lie and just look on it once a year to ensure it's not settling. If it is currently blocking some of the fresh air intake I would be happy to run a calculation for you to let you know if your ventilation, even if blocked, would meet minimum code requirement. If it's all blocked, do something now. See my above paragraph and above post for options.


Words of wisdom? Before you hire your next contractor, read this: Hire the Right Contractor

 

[mulherin31]

Grumpy I think they have placed bats up against the edge of the soffits and blown the insulation up against it preventing the insulation from entering the soffits. I have 13 total soffit vents outside and they placed only 6 total baffles in, but it appears that none of the baffles match up with the corresponding vents. I think iit would be wise to mention that I have ridge vents along with two gable vents. Thoughts? I may need a calc to see if I'm at code. I really appreciate the help sir.

 

[seeyou]

Grumpy I think they have placed bats up against the edge of the soffits and blown the insulation up against it preventing the insulation from entering the soffits. I have 13 total soffit vents outside and they placed only 6 total baffles in, but it appears that none of the baffles match up with the corresponding vents. I think iit would be wise to mention that I have ridge vents along with two gable vents. Thoughts? I may need a calc to see if I'm at code. I really appreciate the help sir.

Try taking a soffit vent off and taking a look. I pushed baffles in through the vent holes on one occasion, but have tried it a couple of other times and it wasn't possible. Depends on the framing.

 

[Grumpy]

If it's blocked with the batts you should do something. What type of roof exhaust vents do you have?

An attic ventilation system always works better with an intake and when ever possible creating an intake is desireable. A ridge vent sinply won't work without an intake. However in some cases and with some types of exhaust you can simply double up the exhaust to acheive the required NFA and minimum code. This is not recommended with fans either. You may consider removing the ridge vents and installing 7 mushroom vents for every 1,000 square feet of attic floor space.

Also ridge vent installed with gable vents isn't the brightest idea either. Your roofer should have told you this. While I know there is some controversy around the subject between us roofers, I don't know of any manufacturer of ventilation products that says it is ok. Those gable vents should be sealed if you wish to keep the ridge vent.


How many square feet is the area of roof we are discussing and what pitch is the roof?


Another option is the installation of an intake vent on the roof above the insulation line such as an edge vent or smart vent.